Reversal Theory Research Articles

Estimates of lay views about reversal multiple intelligences for self and others: Sex and cross-cultural comparisons.

This study focuses on lay conceptions of intelligence. It examined sex and cross-cultural similarities and differences in estimated intelligences and beliefs about intelligence in two countries, Angola and East Timor, within the reversal theory framework. A total of 209 Angolan (109 women and 100 men) and 183 Timorese (89 women and 94 men) students were participated in this study. Participants completed a questionnaire in order to estimate their parents', partners' and own overall intelligence and the 8 reversal multiple intelligences (telic, paratelic, conformist, negativistic, autic mastery, autic sympathy, alloic mastery and alloic sympathy intelligence). Respondents also rated 6 questions about intelligence. Men rated their overall, conformist and autic mastery higher than women. Angolans rated their overall, telic, paratelic, conformist, negativistic, autic mastery, autic sympathy, alloic mastery and alloic sympathy intelligence higher than Timorese. In both countries, fathers have been perceived as more intelligent than mothers, and telic intelligence emerged as a significant predictor of overall intelligence. Principal component analysis of the 8 reversal multiple intelligences yielded one factor. Angolan participants revealed more IQ test experience than Timorese participants. Most of respondents in both countries did not believe in sex differences in intelligence. These findings are discussed by means of cross-cultural literature.

Motivational State and Personality in Relation to Emotion, Stress, and HRV Responses to Aerobic Exercise

Abstract. This study examined emotion, stress, and performance during aerobic exercise performed in the telic and paratelic states, in relation to telic and paratelic dominance. The study tested the misfit effect and is the first to examine heart rate variability (HRV) responses to exercise in relation to both personality and motivational state. Based on their Paratelic Dominance Scale scores, participants identified as telic dominant (TD) and paratelic dominant (PD) completed ramp tests following telic and paratelic state manipulations (repeated measures). In each condition, participants watched “serious” (telic) or “playful” (paratelic) videos for 10 min, then performed a ramp test on a cycle ergometer while continuing to watch the videos throughout the entire protocol. Motivational state (telic/paratelic), HRV, emotion, and stress levels were measured at baseline, pre, post, and 15 min post-ramp test. Time to exhaustion was measured as an index of performance. Limited support was obtained for the misfit effect as interactions between state and dominance were not revealed for any of the variables with the exception of low frequent (LF) and the low frequent/high frequent ratio (LF/HF % normalized), which can be interpreted as indicating that both groups were more relaxed in their preferred state condition. Regardless, findings offer useful insight into methodological considerations for similar studies, such as consideration of the moderating effects of exercise characteristics. Our findings also confirm a number of reversal theory ( Apter, 1982 ) proposals including the concept of dominance as an individual difference factor, with varying characteristics of different dominances, based on physiological response variables. We recommend continued research into the misfit effect with larger samples, and designs that accommodate the methodological considerations raised by the present results.

A Simulation Study of Surface Breaking Crack in Concrete Beam Based on Time-Reversed Theory of Surface Wave

Existing non-destructive test methods are usually ineffective in detection of surface breaking cracks with large depths in concrete structure. This paper introduces a method suitable for detection of deep cracks based on surface wave time reversal theory. A numerical simulation based on the finite element model is performed to investigate surface cracks detection. A damage index was defined based on the correlation coefficient between the actuated and the reconstructed wave signals. The results demonstrated that the presence of crack had a significant influence on the propagation characteristics of surface waves along concrete. Cracks in different sizes were introduced and correlated with the damage index. Enlarging the crack depth resulted in an increase in the distortion of reconstructed signals, and a higher damage index was obtained. The results illustrated the effectiveness of the surface wave time-reversal process in identifying cracks in concrete structures.

Exploring the Concept of Focus in Reversal Theory

Exploring the Concept of Focus in Reversal Theory

Elaborating the Mastery State and the Confidence Frame

In reversal theory (RT; e.g., Apter, 1982, 2001) the mastery metamotivational state is the motivational orientation that leads the individual to value having power and control, either over others or oneself. When it is operative, winning or success (i.e., gaining in felt transactional outcome) generates pleasant feelings such as pride and satisfaction. Losing or failure (i.e., losing in felt transactional outcome) generates negative emotions such as humiliation, and, when an athlete’s needs for power and control are not being met, this can result in tension-stress. This theoretical manuscript provides an elaboration of RT's mastery state and more clearly defines its relationship with protective confidence frames, its interaction with other metamotivational states, and its antecedents. The manuscript is set in the context of sport and exercise psychology, but the arguments presented have implications for other areas of psychology, and for human endeavour and performance in general. It is intended as a discussion document aimed at stimulating debate and rethinking about the nature and role of the mastery state in RT.

Development and Validation of an Implicit Measure of Meta-Motivational States

The development of an easily-administered, valid and reliable meta-motivational state measure, capable of assessing the full spectrum of states, is needed to progress the understanding and application of reversal theory (Apter, 2013). The present paper outlines an adaptation of the Stroop protocol to implicitly measure meta-motivational states, and two subsequent validation studies. Consistent with Stroop principles, it was hypothesised that state congruent stimuli would capture individuals’ attention causing an increased response latency (e.g., Ayres & Sonandre, 2002). Study one (n = 68) assessed the concurrent validity of the Meta-Motivational Stroop task (MMS) against two widely-used explicit measures of state, the Telic/Paratelic State Inventory (T/PSI; O’Connell & Calhoun, 2001) and the State of Mind Indicator for Athletes (SOMIFA; Kerr & Apter, 1999). Contrary to expectations emotionally incongruent stimuli caused a delayed response, interpreted as an interference effect (Rothermund, 2003). Study two (n = 30) manipulated state, through expressive writing and imagery, to assess the ability of the Stroop task to detect changes in state. Results offered some support for the interference effect, with incongruent stimuli resulting in an increased response latency when writing from a telic perspective. Taken together, results suggest an implicit measure of meta-motivational state has some promise, particularly given the observed limitations of explicit measures.

Effects of reversible chemical reaction on Li diffusion and stresses in spherical composition-gradient electrodes

Composition-gradient electrode materials have been proven to be one of the most promising materials in lithium-ion battery. To study the mechanism of mechanical degradation in spherical composition-gradient electrodes, the finite deformation theory and reversible chemical theory are adopted. In homogeneous electrodes, reversible electrochemical reaction may increase the magnitudes of stresses. However, reversible electrochemical reaction has different influences on stresses in composition-gradient electrodes, resulting from three main inhomogeneous factors—forward reaction rate, backward reaction rate, and reaction partial molar volume. The decreasing transition form of forward reaction rate, increasing transition form of backward reaction rate, and increasing transition form of reaction partial molar volume can reduce the magnitudes of stresses. As a result, capacity fading and mechanical degradation are reduced by taking advantage of the effects of inhomogeneous factors.

On time reversal-based signal enhancement for active lamb wave-based damage identification

Lamb waves have been a promising candidate for quantitative damage identification for various engineering structures, taking advantage of their superb capabilities of traveling for long distances with fast propagation and low attenuation. However, the application of Lamb waves in damage identification so far has been hampered by the fact that the characteristic signals associated with defects are generally weaker compared with those arising from boundary reflections, mode conversions and environmental noises, making it a tough task to achieve satisfactory damage identification from the time series. With awareness of this challenge, this paper proposes a time reversal-based technique to enhance the strength of damage-scattered signals, which has been previously applied to bulk wave-based damage detection successfully. The investigation includes (i) an analysis of Lamb wave propagation in a plate, generated by PZT patches mounted on the structure; (ii) an introduction of the time reversal theory dedicated for waveform reconstruction with a narrow-band input; (iii) a process of enhancing damage-scattered signals based on time reversal focalization; and (iv) the experimental investigation of the proposed approach to enhance the damage identification on a composite plate. The results have demonstrated that signals scattered by delamination in the composite plate can be enhanced remarkably with the assistance of the proposed process, benefiting from which the damage in the plate is identified with ease and high precision.

The motivation behind unsanctioned violence in international rugby: A case study of a former elite player

At focus in this case study was the participant's perception of, and personal involvement in, rugby violence. The participant was a 50-year-old ex-international and former British and Irish Lions rugby union player. A qualitative approach informed by reversal theory and incorporating retrospective semi-structured interview procedures with inductive and deductive elements was used to explore a number of topics related to his rugby playing career, including rugby violence. Among other statements related to play and power violence, the participant described his experience of three major incidents involving personal rugby violence. Each incident resulted in injury to the opposing player which required extensive medical attention. Two of the reported incidents supported previous reversal theory-based research findings related to the motivation behind anger violence in sport. The third incident illustrated a type of sport violence not previously identified in reversal theory-based sport research. It was termed “protective” or “supportive” violence, where an athlete comes to the aid, rescue or defence of a teammate. The findings provide valuable new insights on rugby violence, adding to sport psychology's understanding of the motivational processes involved.

Effects of classrooms' architecture on academic performance in view of telic versus paratelic motivation: a review.

This mini literature review analyzes research papers from many countries that directly or indirectly test how classrooms’ architecture influences academic performance. These papers evaluate and explain specific characteristics of classrooms, with an emphasis on how they affect learning processes and learning outcomes. Factors such as acoustics, light, color, temperature, and seat arrangement are scrutinized to determine whether and by how much they improve or hinder students’ academic performance in classrooms. Apter’s (1982, 1984, 2014) reversal theory of telic versus paratelic motivation is presented and used to explain these findings. The results show preference for a learning environment that cues a telic motivation state in the students. Therefore, classroom features should not be distracting or arousing. Moreover, it appears the most influential factors affecting the learning process are noise, temperature and seat arrangement. In addition, there is no current agreement on how some particular physical characteristics of classrooms affect learning outcomes. More research is needed to establish stronger conclusions and recommendations.

Belief in Mean Reversion and the Disposition Effect: An Experimental Test

The disposition effect refers to the investors’ tendency to disproportionately sell more winning than losing assets. This experiment evaluates its two competing behavioral mechanisms: belief in mean reversion and prospect theory. The participants were endowed with some hypothetical assets, observed their price sequences and made selling decisions. Sixty-one percent of them exhibited significant disposition effect. I elicited the participants’ prospect theory parameters and beliefs about price movements, and found that beliefs especially in the loss domain, not prospect theory, significantly contribute to the between-subject variation in the disposition effect. The results from a goodness-of-fit test also favor the belief mechanism.

The Theory of Everything as the Reversibility Theory

In the posited reversibility theory, 1) all physical laws and phenomena are permanently reversible, 2) all physical laws are derived from the reversible M-theory (extension of string theory) in the reversible multiverse, and 3) temporary irreversible entropy increase is allowed through reversibility breaking, symmetry breaking, and low entropy beginning. Dealing with all physical laws and phenomena, the reversibility theory is the theory of everything, including thermodynamic, cosmology, the composition (baryonic matter, dark matter, and dark energy) in the universe, the periodic table of all elementary particles, the galaxy evolution, superconductivity, and black hole. In the reversible M-theory, space-time dimension number oscillates between 11D (space-time dimension) and 10D and between 10D and 4D. The reversible M-theory includes 11D membrane, 10D string, and variable D particle. Space-time dimension number between 10 and 4 decreases with decreasing speed of light, decreasing vacuum energy, and increasing rest mass. In our dual universe of positive-negative energy universe, the reversible oscillation between 10D with and 4D in the negative energy universe without kinetic energy is the reversible cyclic fractionalization-condensation for the reversible cyclic expansion-contraction of the universe. Without kinetic energy, the individual particles have no individual momenta for entropy increase. The negative energy universe is the locally reversible universe for dark energy. In the positive energy universe where we live, the absorption of the interuniversal void forced the direct transformation from 10D to 4D as the inflation followed by the Big Bang, and created kinetic energy that provided individual momenta for individual particles to produce irreversible entropy increase, resulting in the reversibility breaking of the reversible oscillation. The positive energy universe is the locally irreversible universe. The dual universe as a whole is reversible guided by the reversible negative energy universe. As a result, the irreversible positive energy universe with the irreversible entropy increase is temporary, and will disappear.

A Novel Virtual Time Reversal Method for Passive Direction of Arrival Estimation

The paper presents a new method to estimate the two-dimensional (2D) direction of arrival (DOA) (the azimuth angle and the elevation angle) of electromagnetic signal emitted from a single communication station. This method is passive and accurate in the case of low signal-noise ratio (SNR) based on the virtual time reversal (VTR) theory. In order to illustrate its principle, the theoretical formulas of VTR direction finding with uniform circular array (UCA) are derived firstly. Based on these formulas, the implementation scheme for estimating azimuth angle and elevation angle passively is then provided. In the derivation, the strict mathematical proof for compressing planar search area to a curve line is proposed, reducing the complexity of VTR algorithm greatly. Finally, the simulation experiments are performed to validate the performance of VTR algorithm. The results show that the VTR method is effective and it delivers accurate DOA estimation in the case of low SNR.

The Reversible Cyclic Universe in the Reversible Multiverse and the Reversible String Theory

The paper posits that the multiverse is reversible, so all universes in the multiverse are reversible cyclic universes which have the inexhaustible resources of space-time to expand. The collision of expanding universes is permanently irreversible, forbidden in the reversible multiverse, so every universe is surrounded by the zero-energy interuniversal void as the permanent gap among universes to keep universes apart. A zero-sum energy dual universe of positive energy universe and negative energy universe can be created in the interuniversal void, and the new dual universe is again surrounded by the interuniversal void. This paper also posits the reversible string theory with oscillating space-time dimension number oscillating between 11D (space-time dimension) and 4D without the conventional compactization of string. Dimension number decreases with decreasing speed of light, decreasing vacuum energy, and increasing rest mass. The 4D and the 11D have zero and the highest vacuum energies, respectively. The universes in the reversible multiverse oscillate reversibly between high and low dimension numbers. Under symmetry breaking as in our universe, the positive energy universe as our observed universe absorbed the interuniversal void, while the negative energy universe did not. The interuniversal void has zero vacuum energy, so the absorption of the interuniversal void by the positive energy universe forced the positive energy 10D universe with high vacuum energy to be transformed into the positive energy 4D universe with zero vacuum energy, resulting in the inflation followed by the Big Bang. The negative energy universe undergoes dimension number oscillation between 4D and 10D dimension by dimension. The negative energy >4D universe is hidden, and the negative energy 4D universe appears as dark energy. The calculated percentages of dark energy, dark matter, and baryonic matter and the calculated time for dark energy to start are in good agreements with the observed values.

Found in Translation: Bringing Reversal Theory to Design for Play

In the design of objects for children’s play, support from psychology is often sought in general developmental overviews, typologies of play, and age-related performance and preference descriptions. These sources may give an insight into global aspects of child development but have limited utility for understanding the situated motivations of an individual child. Theories that take an experiential view on behavior, such as reversal theory, have the potential to feed designers with a perspective on the dynamics of children’s personality, changing motivations and emotions. The potential contribution of reversal theory to design for play was explored in practice: postgraduate students cooperated with design tutors and psychology tutors during a design course to create an object for children’s play informed and inspired by reversal theory. Over three consecutive editions of the course, we gathered experiences in supporting idea development for play using reversal theory. Results of the project are presented in form of criteria for adequate framing of the theory in the context of design for play and the resulting modular description of reversal theory. An evaluation of students’ incorporation of reversal theory in design ideation is provided and illustrated with examples of design ideas for play.

Towards a Theory of Things: Reversal Theory and Design

Towards a Theory of Things: Reversal Theory and Design

Carousel of feelings: Reversal theory as a design tool

Carousel of feelings: Reversal theory as a design tool

Reversal Theory from a Design Perspective

Reversal Theory from a Design Perspective

Waiting Experience in Railway Environments

At railway stations, waiting time is usually an unavoidable aspect of the journey for train passengers. According to the attentional model of time, pleasant surroundings and other forms of distraction reduce perceived waiting time. Not every individual reacts identically in the same surroundings. Passengers in different states of mind enter the station every day. The authors propose that for recreational “lust” passengers, a stimulating environment initiates a more positive waiting time experience, whereas goal oriented “must” passengers respond more positively to a calming environment. A virtual railway station was developed to create a waiting environment in which the arousal level of environmental stimuli (stimulating or calming) was manipulated by the use of colored lighting (study 1) and background music (study 2) in an environment that varied in the degree of density. Results showed that at quiet low-density moments, passengers experienced greater pleasure when stimulating music was played, whereas at busy high-density moments it was the other way around (greater pleasure with calming music). Overall, “lust” passengers seemed more receptive to stimulating environments than “must” passengers. Pleasure increased and the waiting experience improved (with shorter time estimates). In line with reversal theory, the findings shed light on the relationship between environmental stimuli and waiting experience, including the differentiation between low- and high-density surroundings and motivational states of passengers. Designers of waiting environments might choose to design an environment that reverses negative emotions of boredom or stress to positive emotions of excitement and relaxation.

Design of a speaker array system based on adaptive time reversal method

A system for focusing sound around desired locations by using a speaker array of controlled sources is proposed. To increase acoustic signal in certain locations where the user is within but to reduce it in the other certain locations by controlling source signals is the main objective of this study. Based on adaptive time reversal theory, input weighting coefficients for speakers are evaluated for the speaker sources. Experiments and simulations with a speaker array of controlled sources are established in order to observe the distribution of sound field under different boundary and control conditions. The results indicate that based on the current algorithm, the difference of sound pressure level between bright point and dark point can be as high as 12 dB with an eight speakers array system.